Nurses involved in groundbreaking robot-assisted heart surgery

Doctors from the Specialist Hospital and Research Center. King Faisal Hospital in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, recently completed the first successful implantation of a robot-assisted artificial heart pump.

“The greater precision and minimal invasiveness of robotic surgery often contribute to better patient outcomes.”

Nora Alowais

The device, which helps patients with advanced heart failure, was implanted in a 35-year-old man during surgery led by King Faisal’s head of cardiac surgery, Dr. Feras Khaliel.

Dr. Khaliel, who is also director of the hospital’s robotics and minimally invasive surgery program, used a robotic system during the procedure, which was the first successful attempt at such a procedure.

The hospital stated that thanks to the use of robotics in the surgery, the procedure was less invasive and the patient, who stayed in the hospital for 120 days, was able to return home much faster than traditional methods.

Norah Alowais, clinical specialist in pre-operative nursing at King Faisal, told Nursing Times that her team helped prepare equipment for the surgery, including ensuring the robotic systems and artificial heart pump were working properly before the procedure began, as well as during the surgery itself robotics.

Ms Alowais said she was also involved in collecting data during and after surgery for “analysis” to contribute to research and further development.

“Compared to traditional methods, robotic systems provide surgeons with greater precision, better visualization and greater dexterity, which often leads to minimally invasive procedures,” she said of the surgery itself.

“This translates into smaller incisions, less pain, less blood loss and a faster recovery time for the patient, resulting in a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal activities.

“Moreover, robotics can reduce the physical burden on surgeons and improve team coordination.”

Nora Alowais

She added that the use of robotics in her hospital has had broader benefits in patient care: “Robotics improves surgical staff training and skill development by providing advanced simulation options.

“Ultimately, the greater precision and minimally invasiveness of robotic surgery often contribute to better patient outcomes, higher satisfaction rates and positive experiences with the health care system.”

The hospital said a patient who had an artificial heart pump was in intensive care for four days, compared with the average of 26 days.

Dr. Khaliel added: “The patient was amazed at the minimal scarring, reflecting the advanced capabilities of robotic technology.”